Sopris Sun Staff Report
Local llama rancher Linda Hayes has
opened her barn to rescued and surrendered llamas. The ranch, Llama
Linda Ranch, is now an official adoption center for South West Llama
Rescue (SWLR).
“With the poor economy, price of hay
and aging llama owners, many are giving up their animals to new
homes,” said Hayes
The past few years have seen an
increase in the number of llamas abandoned or confiscated by humane
officials. Add to that, the number of elderly owners who can no
longer physically care for them and you have need for an adoption
center.
Hayes has been raising llamas since
1989 and volunteered to take in llamas and alpacas in need of a home.
“It’s heartbreaking” said Hayes.
“Several of the llamas come from owners who have gone through major
hardships such as foreclosures, being burned out by forest fires and
debilitating injuries. They don’t want to give up their pets but have
no other option. To know these llamas will be loved and cared for
means a lot to them.”
Other llamas come from people who think
animals should be able to survive with no shelter and little feed.
Some have been turned loose to try and survive on their own. “They
can in the summer but once their water source freezes, their days are
numbered. Now, owners can surrender their llamas instead of
neglecting them or letting them starve.”
The South West Llama Rescue will allow
these animals to be re-homed to carefully screened persons. The
adoption fee is minimal but the new owner must agree not to breed the
animal and that they always have a companion llama.
Llamas are very social and will not
thrive if they live by themselves. The exception is llamas that are
used to guard sheep or goats. They bond well with their charges and
become very protective of them.
“People are always asking, ‘what do
you do with a llama?’” said Hayes. “They have
many uses. In the mountains they are popular as pack animals but
they can also be used as therapy companions, 4-H projects, trained to
pull a cart and there is a popular show circuit. Most however become
pasture ornaments. Their serene quiet ways seem to have a calming
effect on even the most agitated person. For this reason, many people
just enjoy watching their antics in the pasture.”
Llama wool is also useful in craft
projects, such as felting, weaving and spinning. Wool from older
animals is used to make beautiful soft rugs and saddle blankets.
Llamas are safe with small children,
hardly ever have health problems and are easy to own. They do need
shelter from the hot sun or cold winds, hoof care, grooming or
shearing, and annual vaccinations. They require fresh water and will
eat a variety of native and pasture grasses. They can be kept in the
same fencing as used for cattle or horses and will eat the same feed.
“Five llamas will eat the same amount of food as one horse so they
are comparatively cheaper to own,” Hayes said.
Llama Linda Ranch is located at the
intersection of County Road 114 and 110 between Carbondale and
Glenwood Springs.
Hayes currently has 11 llamas,
including four available for adoption and another three are due in
soon.
For details, call Hayes at 379-4576 or
e-mail llamas@skybeam.com.